Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1887-05-11
BRUTAL MURDER.

BRUTAL MURDER.
Gambler Duval Deliberately Shoots to
Death Barber Grimn-The Deed Com
mitted at Night.
George Duval, Q colored man, who is
well known as q shrewd, professional
gambler, yesterday ended . dispute be
tween himself and one of his victims
by shooting and killing Jarvis Griffin, q
colored barber, who had interfered in1
the controversy on behalf Of his friend.
The fatal ehot Was fired With deliberate
intent, and the bullet entered Griffin's
brain, causing death three hours later.
The scene Of the murder was on the
pavement, fronting 1136 Lombard street,
Philadelphia, about 8 o'clock, yeeter
day morning. That portion of Lom.
bard street is rather dark, and as the
witnesses made NO attempt to detain
Murderer Duval he had disappeared be-
fore the police reached the spot and has
not since been found.
Jarvis Griffin, Duval's victim, was
ore OF the best known colored BARRIERS
In the city. He was S6 years Of age, of
short and slight build, Of very neat ap
pearsnce and was always good.natured
and cheerful. He was employed in W I.
N. Hawking barber shop, on Nine.
teenth street, above Green, until about
one year ago, when he obtained . half
interest in . neat little shop on the
south side Of Walnut street, below
Fourth. A short time ago he opened q
shcp Of his own at 1927 Walnut street
and was largely patronized by the
business men Of that vicinity, who
liked him because of his happy and
agreeable disposition. He resided al
Snow Hill, n. j., and leaves . wife
and two children.
His slayer, George Duval, is 40 yearl
of age, rather tall, and his hair is tinged
with gray. He lived at 1713 Burton
street and was an agent for q manu-
facturer OF sporting goods in New
York. He is well known among the
colored people OF New York and other
principal cities, where he 10 said tC
have fieeced hundreds Of victims.
CAUSE OF THE SHOOTING.
The shooting WAS the result of o quar-
rel between Warren Williamson, col
orsd man, and Duval, Willis msor
claiming that Duval had cheated him
several times at cards. The two meH
were In the habit Of meeting and play
Ing poker at the headquarters of the
colored M. 8. Quay Club, on Lombard
won, and Williamson finally decided
that he would not play with him
again. On Saturday Duval met vii.
him to 60 into . game. Williamson
refused to do so, and remarked to q
friend that he "would play no more
with that thief and gambler" Some.
one informed Duval Of the remark and
he met Williamson on the steps OF the
club house Monday. They had q fight
and Williamson's face WAS badly
scratched. They were finally separated
and Duval walked away, swearing ven.
gesnce on Williamson.
Williamson played cards In the club
room until early yesterday morning.
After leaving the club house he went to
AL Betten courts saloon, at 1882 Lom.
bard street. Griffin was standing at
the door and he asked him to take q
drink. While they were drinking,
Griffin asked Williamson who scratched
his face. He replied that Duval did 1t.
While the two men were talking about
the fight. Duval walked In from rear
door. He overheard Williamson's con-
versation and began to quarrel with
him. Saloon-keeper BetIencourt told
them either to stop their quaYreling or
leave the place. Griffin and William
son walked out on the pavement. Duval
followed and attempted to renew the
quarrel.
TWO FATAL SHOTS.
According to Willlamson's story no
blows were struck on either side. Duval
walked toward Williamson as though
intending 10 strike him, when Griffin
put his hand ON Duval's shoulder to re
strain him. Williamson turned to 20
into the saloon when, he says, he heard
tw shots and on turning around cav
Griffin fall tn the pavement.
Duval thrust o smoking pistol into
his pocket and ran out Lombard street.
Bettencourt, Williamson and several
others who we're in the saloon picked
the injured man up and sent for q po.
licoman. A patrol wagon was sum-
noned and Griffin was taken to the
Pennsylvania Hospital, where he died
an hour after his mission, the bull ct
having penetrated his brain.
WHAT DUvAL's INTENTIONS WERE.
Williamson says he believes that Du-
val intended to shoot him, apd that he
murdered Griffin because he inter rfered
with Duval's purpose. The police be.
lieve that the murderer has fled to Bal
timore. Special officers have been sent
out to watch all the depots and ferries
to prevent his escape In case he Is yet
In the city.
His residence at 1918 Burton street
wes examined by the Nineteenth dis
trict police. They found q lot of cards
of sample rooms, restaurants, saloons
and colored clubs In the West, sho wing
that Duval had made practice OF get
ting the entree into oolored political
and SO ,lal organizations In all parts Of
the country and utilizing them as
field for gambling pursuits.
Some marked playing cards and a
vest which was lined with polishad
steel, which would enable him to secrete
any number Of cards, several hand
books on gambling and some poker
chips were also found. All possible
avenues OF ESQ lIe 70 watch sd, and the
Baltimore authorities have been warned
to be on the lookout. Griffin's family
at 6nsw Hill, N. j., have been notified
OF his death, and they will probably
claim the body to day.
Among the colOred people there
seems to be general opinion that Du.
val bore grudge against both men, and
that Duval did not care which man he
killed.
WE GlvNYoU
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